Campaign to save deaf studies degree at Bristol Uni

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BBC News - Campaign to save deaf studies degree at Bristol Uni

A campaign against plans to cut a deaf studies programme at Bristol University is being stepped up.

An emergency motion was introduced at the start of the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) disability conference to back the campaign to save the course.

Protests were held in Bristol last week against the proposals which could lead to nine job losses.

The university said the degree was going for academic reasons, as part of a review of the social science faculty.

'Academic considerations'

The TUC motion called on delegates to sign a petition on the social networking site Facebook, opposing the cuts.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, said: "[The TUC], like us, recognise the incredible work the staff in the centre do delivering one of the only degree courses in deaf studies.

"Closing the course would have ramifications for deaf people throughout the country. The options available to people wishing to learn sign language, or how to teach it, would also be massively reduced."

A spokesman for the university said: "The money-saving aspect is a secondary reason. The BSc is being withdrawn because of academic considerations.

"Part of this is to due the students' own assessment, but also its relevance to the wider interest of the faculty."

 

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Dispute over Bristol University deaf studies report

BBC News - Dispute over Bristol University deaf studies report

A report into a departmental review at Bristol University was "cherry-picked" to justify proposals to axe a degree in deaf studies, its author has claimed.

Research academic Dr Mike Gulliver was commissioned to look into the Centre for Deaf Studies last summer.

He said some of the criticisms in his report were used to target the course as part of cost-saving measures.

The university rejected his claims and said a variety of opinions led to the decision to withdraw the degree.

'Dangerous fantasy'

"I was commissioned last August to do this report as part of a departmental review," said Dr Gulliver.

"It was critical and honest, but ultimately positive and suggested ways to improve the course. It wasn't aimed to be used as part of this review."

He said he had heard the negative sections of his report were referred to several times during a senate meeting discussing where to make cuts.

But university spokesman Barry Taylor said: "I have been unable to find any evidence of what he's saying.

"Punctilious and distinguished academics made this decision and to suggest they twisted the truth to back it up is a dangerous fantasy."

The university said that "academic quality and financial viability were the main considerations" in the decision to withdraw the degree.